Hundreds of valuable archaeological artefacts looted from Afghanistan were returned to the country's National Museum on August 5 after being recovered with the help of the British Museum.

British Consul General Colin Crorkin said at a ceremony that, "We are here today to celebrate the return of over 800 heritage objects to the National Museum of Afghanistan, covering almost all of the great periods of Afghan culture. The return was assisted by the British Museum and the British Ministry of Defense."

Many of the 843 artefacts were seized as they were being smuggled into Britain.

An estimated 70 percent of the National Museum's contents were stolen during Afghanistan's civil war in the early 1990s.